Butea monosperma (Palas) - Flame of the Forest

Native to India, Palas is a medium sized tree, growing from 20 to 4O feet high. In December and January most of the leaves fall, but from January to March it truly becomes a tree of flame, a riot of orange and vermilion flowers covering the entire crown. These flowers, which are scentless, are massed along the ends of the stalks. In olden days, the flowers were used to make color for the festival of Holi.